Mouse Point is inland Canterbury, just north of Culverden.  Construction of a Buffer Storage Pond is underway to form a part of the Waiau Irrigation Scheme for Amuri Irrigation Company. The Mouse Point Pond will store surplus water from the main Waiau irrigation race, that would otherwise be discharged back into the Waiau Uwha River and return the water back into the pipe network when additional supply is required.

Inovo’s Project Managers are working with Densem Contracting Ltd, engaged by Amuri Irrigation Company to design and build an earth lined dam. The total footprint of the dam will be 49,000m², with a total volume of just over 97,000m³. Four resource consents were needed before the project could proceed, and we are on track to be completed before Christmas 2024 – making the pond operational for the peak of summer. The project team put in extensive effort during August to complete the race headwall to allow the main race to be filled in early September for the commencement of the irrigation season.

Since the beginning of the project, Inovo has worked with the Amuri Irrigation Company, managing the budget, procurement strategy and programme development. We are now working closely with Densem Contracting Ltd onsite and administering the NZS3916:2013 design and build contract.

If you are driving State Highway 7 between Culverden and Hanmer Springs you may see the embankments continue to take shape and please take care as additional trucks will be on the road carting rocks to site from a local quarry.

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This week we are Ringing the Bell with Yaldhurst School Tōtara Tūkaha!

The students and teachers are enjoying the two new, modern open-plan teaching spaces, replacing three demolished classrooms.

Inovo was initially engaged by the Ministry of Education in an Engineer to the Contract role. As the project progressed, Inovo was further entrusted with project management responsibilities, guiding the delivery through all phases of the project’s delivery.

This $4.5 million Design and Build project had to be completed in stages to ensure continuity of school operations. Working in a live school environment meant that we had to meticulously plan to ensure the health and safety of the staff and students at the school. The creation of the teaching spaces will futureproof Yaldhurst School Tōtara Tūkaha for enrolment growth and modern teaching practices.

It will also set the scene to allow the school to proudly celebrate its 150th anniversary in two years time.

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Inovo has welcomed the opportunity to engage some new talent to the team in surveying and civil engineering. The new recruits have been brought in to support our busy Land Development team based out of our Christchurch offices, and also as Inovo expands Land Development services into our Auckland market.

Sanna Soederlind has joined Inovo in a newly created role of Land Development Lead, Auckland. While Inovo have had an Auckland-based Project Management and Project Planning team since 2018, the business saw the opportunity to lean into our highly skilled and experienced civil engineering, surveying and planning Christchurch teams, and offer our Land Development services to the Auckland market.

A Chartered Professional Engineer, Sanna has an excellent working knowledge of the Auckland Unitary Plan and Engineering codes of practice.

She is extremely competent in three waters and site access design, with an excellent understanding of the overall development process, project management and client deliverables. She comes to Inovo having spent nearly five years as Civil Engineering Team Lead and Associate at a well-respected Auckland Civil Engineering firm. “I’m looking forward to what this new chapter will bring” says Sanna.

Meanwhile, two graduates have joined the Inovo Christchurch office as they commence their careers in Land Development.

Linda Bos has joined us as a Graduate Civil Engineer, having just completed her degree at Canterbury University and has decided to stay on in Christchurch post-degree. Linda chose civil engineering as she’s always enjoyed sciences and maths and wanted a job where she can really make an impact and help people.

Josh Taylor has graduated with a Bachelor of Surveying from Otago University and has joined us as a Graduate Surveyor. Josh grew up around construction, which led him to a career in surveying. He grew up in the Wairapapa, and moved to Christchurch after finishing Uni. He says Christchurch is a great place to live, he’s got good mates here, and that there seems to be lots for young people in the region.

Both Josh and Linda join several others in the Inovo team who started as graduates and have had the opportunity to grow their skillsets, experience and roles through our graduate programme.

We’re excited to have Sanna, Linda and Josh in the Land Development team – they will soon be engaged in some of the interesting and varied projects that Inovo works on.